Shloka 20

Devanagari script

महायुद्धो बभूवाथ देवासुरविमर्दनः । नानायुधानि दिव्यानि चलंतिस्म महामृधे

Transliteration

mahāyuddho babhūvātha devāsuravimardanaḥ | nānāyudhāni divyāni calaṃtisma mahāmṛdhe

Translation

Then a great battle arose, crushing Devas and Asuras alike. In that mighty clash, many divine weapons began to whirl and surge about.

Word by Word

महायुद्धःa great battle

बभूवarose/occurred

अथthen

देवासुरविमर्दनःcrushing devas and asuras

नानायुधानिvarious weapons

दिव्यानिdivine

चलन्तिmove/are in motion

स्मindeed/then (narrative particle)

महामृधेin the great combat

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Mantra Metadata

Type: rudram

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: battle-as-microcosm of pralaya: mutual ‘vimardana’ hints at dissolution dynamics

Characters & Entities

Devas

Asuras

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It depicts cosmic conflict as a movement of karma and pride toward exhaustion—when even “divine” powers clash, the Purana hints that lasting peace is found not in force but in turning to Shiva, the transcendent Lord (Pati) beyond both sides.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

In Shaiva understanding, battles and weapons symbolize limited powers within prakriti; Linga-worship directs the mind to Saguna Shiva as the refuge and to the Linga as the sign of the Nirguna—reminding devotees that Shiva alone is the stable reality amid turmoil.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

As a takeaway, one may steady the mind during “inner battles” through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple Tripuṇḍra-bhasma application as a reminder of impermanence and Shiva’s protecting grace.